Netanyahu: Ceasefire won’t begin until Israel receives names of hostages to be freed by Hamas today

Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in a video statement released on January 18, 2025. (GPO screenshot)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in a video statement released on January 18, 2025. (GPO screenshot)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has still yet to receive a list of hostages slated to be freed today by Hamas, which will delay the start of the ceasefire.

The Prime Minister’s Office says Netanyahu held a security assessment overnight “regarding the delay in receiving the list of hostages expected to be released.”

Netanyahu “instructed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is scheduled to take effect at 8:30 a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of hostages to be released, which Hamas has pledged to provide,” his office adds.

Three female hostages are slated to be released from Gaza today, the first day of the ceasefire, although Hamas was supposed to have provided their names already by yesterday afternoon, according to Israeli officials.

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